Verizon’s Isis mobile payment app reveals double standard

Just as we predicted only 10 days ago, Verizon would want to position itself carefully as it prepared to deploy Isis Mobile Wallet in the wake of its response to the FCC regarding a consumer complaint about Google Wallet not being available for Verizon devices.

Verizon’s response did not specifically say that NFC was their issue (though it was), instead, Verizon used a bit of word-smith tactics to refer to it as the “secure element” on the device. The company further explained that it has a process to allow Google or other to enable Google Wallet.

That process entails a requirement that the app would not be allowed to access the “secure element.” Isis Mobile Wallet is now available on a limited basis to Verizon customers in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah. It is also only available for the HTC Droid Incredible 4G, Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR Maxx HD, and Samsung Galaxy S III. Lo-and-behold, after the app is

Isis Mobile Wallet is A-OK to use the secure element on your Verizon device, but Google Wallet is not.

installed and you have an opportunity to read the customary advisories, there it is in black-and-white, “Isis Wallet only works with phones that support and contain…a Secure Element.”

Now, that was the very part about Google Wallet that Verizon objected to when it responded to the FCC inquiry. Given that Verizon is actively involved in a service that directly competes with Google Wallet, no one should be surprised by this. What does this mean to you? Well, simply, it means that you are at the mercy of the carrier. We know this will spark arguments and fan-boy flame-fests, but if this is something that really troubles you, right now, your only recourse is to switch to another carrier.

The reason why this is a reason to leave verizon has nothing to do with how well the app functions. Its a matter of principle. Verizon has a history of attempting to limit their customer's access to the features regularly associated with an android device (in case anyone remembers verizon's "version" of the android market with the original Motorola DROID, all the way up to completely screwing anyone who bought the Galaxy Nexus from them)

Verizon really just seems to hate the idea of people being allowed to do whatever they want with the phones they have purchased. Why would you want to give money to a company that consistently tries to stifle it's users capabilities?

That is a feasible solution to some people. The problem is that most people do not root their devices. What we consider "simple" and "commonplace" in the realm of "gadgeteers" (to coin the phrase from the "Woz") is not common to consumers.

But to your point, indeed yes, that is a solution, and a perfectly viable one at that.

I think it's about time to stop referring to rooters as something along the lines of "gadgeteers". It gives people the impression they need to have some kind of coding skill when all they have to be are script kiddies. The vast majority of rooting is about as difficult as a PC's downloading a program, letting it run, and letting it restart.
The only caveat is voiding the warranty.

This is just bullish. I don't understand the point of all this. If the users have any brains at all, they would know what VZW is doing. And I agree with one of the comments, it is a matter of principle. They just want control over their customers. Not cool.

You would be surprised how little thought the consumer gives to this. Everyone here sees what Verizon is doing, but the average consumer simply does not realize what is going on or does not care. I root my phone and put what I want on it on principle. My wife knows what I do and why, but would be appalled if I did the same thing to her phone, even knowing the benefits.

FCC will probably come after VZW for this anyway, this sounds like it falls under the same rules about using LTE bands in which VZW was prohibited from limiting the availability of applications or barring fair usage. Only time will tell, VZW talking out of both sides of their mouths again. I mean Google can ask for an inquiry as to why ISIS can use NFC for payments on VZW network but Google Wallet can't, which is basically VZW cock blocking. Free enterprise is good as long as they are the only ones making the money.

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